GRCA Commerce Quarterly Summer 2019 - 44

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E-mail: bkirkner@greaterreading.org
Telephone: (610) 898-7779

feature

'Membership has
its Privileges'
By Kirsten Haas, Director Membership Services, GRCA

hose of us over a certain age (I'll decline to share the Advocacy Update, GRCA members are able to put their fingers on
number) may recall that tagline from vintage '80s-'90s the pulse of local business trends and keep an ear open to ongoing
American Express ads. The statement is meant to conjure issues that affect our local economy.
up images of exclusivity and success. Imagine the unmistakable
GRCA members also enjoy opportunities for increased
Roman Centurion head on an AmEx card roaring to life, declaring, exposure with our event/program sponsorships, feature articles
"MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES! GO FORTH AND in Commerce Quarterly and one-on-one Chamber Spotlight video
SUCCEED!"
interviews. From our Signature Events like Taste of Berks or The
The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance doesn't have any Roman Dinner, to Networking at Night and seasonal events like the Penn
Centurions wandering the halls of our offices in downtown Reading, Street Market, sponsorships allow you to get your name up in
but that doesn't make our members any less formidable.
lights (sometimes, literally!). Have a good story to share? Commerce
Quarterly
(the GRCA's premier print magazine) tells the stories of
The GRCA is over 1000-members strong (that's M-plus in
our
members
and of the contributions our members make to the
Roman numerals). Our member businesses/organizations cover all
business
community
and beyond. GRCA members who like a good
aspects of life in the Greater Reading community from agriculture
Q&A
can
take
advantage
of our Chamber Spotlight interview series.
to restaurants (literally farm to table); from construction to real
Filmed
at
the
GRCA
building
in downtown Reading by our friends
estate; from manufacturing to retail; from education to non-profit
at
The
People
Chronicles,
this
video series highlights our members
social services. Our membership includes the largest employers in
and
is
distributed
via
our
YouTube
channel. In other words, the
the area such as East Penn Manufacturing and Penske as well as
GRCA
can
provide
you
more
than
five
minutes of fame!
small businesses like Sweet Ride Ice Cream and solo-enterprises
like The Leges Group. We count sports teams like the Reading
Fightin' Phils and the Reading Royals amongst our ranks, as well
as community organizations like Abilities in Motion, Berks County
Community Foundation and SafeBerks.

GRCA membership offers our business community privileges
for access, opportunities and resources.

Finally, every business has different needs at different times and
therefore every business needs a variety of resources. GRCA members
enjoy resources galore! Members enjoy advertising discounts in local
publications as well as access to GRCA advertising packages in print
and electronic media. The GRCA offers members training programs
ranging from basic software training to professional development,
to customized, member-specific programs all designed to help our
members attract, educate and retain a talented workforce. Members
opening new businesses, celebrating new locations or showcasing a
renovation get help with open houses and ribbon-cuttings (yes, we
have a pair of HUGE scissors).

Throughout the year, GRCA hosts events and programs
connecting members with each other as well as with key business and
community leaders. This access helps put members in touch with
resources and potential new customers. Whether it's our monthly
Diversity Mixer networking event or a Business & Community

Access, opportunities and resources. These privileges are a mere
fraction of all the benefits available to GRCA members. If you're
looking for growth, inclusivity, innovation and ultimately greater
success and reach in the community - join us and roar to life with
the GRCA!

If you do business in the Greater Reading/Berks County
region, YOU can become part of the GRCA community. But why
SHOULD you?
One word: Privileges.

44 COMMERCE QUARTERLY SUMMER 2019

GRCA Commerce Quarterly Summer 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRCA Commerce Quarterly Summer 2019